Government of Iceland grants church the authority to wed same-sex couples

[Bluebear]

The Government of Iceland will grant ministers of churches the authority join same sex couples into legal marriage. The improved laws will take effect on Christopher Street Day, June 27, 2008. Until now only only civil officials have been able to legally confirm the cohabitation of same-sex couples. In 2006 the Icelandic government approved laws that ended almost all discrimination against same sex couples and granting them full legal rights of marriage. The only thing left out then was granting churches and religious groups the authority to join same sex couples into legal marriage which will now be resolved.

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Árni Thór Arnthórsson and his American fiancé Paris Prince will be the first gay couple to get married in church in Iceland early next month after a new law on the right of religious associations to confirm cohabitation of gay couples took affect today.

“We didn’t know we’d be the first to get married in church after the law amendment,” Arnthórsson told 24 Stundir. “To us it is about the church being open to everyone and standing strong as one of the most important human rights institutions in the world. We are all equal before God.”

Prince also grew up with Christian values. “We are religious but practice religion in our own way,” he said. “I’m very happy about being here and taking part in this important step towards further change.”...

Rev. Bjarni Karlsson, who will marry Arnthórsson and Prince in Lauganeskirkja in Reykjavík, celebrates his newfound right to do so. “We live in a society where we not just tolerate other people, but respect them and their lives.”

http://www.icelandreview.com/icelandreview/daily_news/?cat_id=16539&ew_0_a_id=308257

[ccharles000]

1. lovely